Ratioed air control for steam heating systems



Jan. 20, 1942. H. F. cox 2,270,510

RATIOED AIR CONTROL FOR STEAM HEATING SYSTEMS Filed June 10, 1940 INVE TOR- HARR/SON E cox.

ATT RNEK Patented Jan. 20, 1942 RATIOED Am CONTROL FOR. STEAM HEATING SYSTEMS Harrison F. Cox, Paterson, N. J.

Application June 10, 1940, Serial No. 339,601

Claims.

My invention applies generally to steam heating systems and more particularly to one pip'e steam systems. On of the great disadvantages of the average steam system is that the most distant radiator from the boiler is the last to heat. Consequently, rooms in the wings are seldom maintained at temperatures equivalent to the temperature of the more centrally located rooms. In the proposed system this difiiculty is overcome.

The general object of my invention is to provide means whereby steam will enter all the radiators in the heating system at the same time and further that they will all cool at a uniform rate. The average heating system cycle comprises the following steps. First, when the system is idle, the radiators and lines are filled with air at atmospheric pressure. By increasing the fire in the boiler steam is generated which forces its way under pressure through the lines and radiators, thus displacing the air which is discharged into the atmospheric. When the fire is retarded the steam condenses thereby causing a partial vacuum or negative pressure in the system whereby air reenters the system and balances the pressure, thereby completing the cycle.

During the period the air is being displaced by the steam, the air in the radiator nearest the boiler is generally displaced prior to that in the more distant radiators and consequently the more distant rooms which are generally colder, are the last to receive heat. One of the objects of my invention is to provide means for regulating the rate of displacement of the air from each radiator so as to provide a more uniform temperature throughout the house. The second step in the heating cycle occurs when atmospheric air reenters the system thereby cooling the radiators. Another object of my invention is to provide means for regulating the rate at which said atmospheric air will reenter each individual radiator. Such a regulation makes it possible to control the heating period of each radiator and provide a more uniform temperature throughout the house. A further object of my invention is to provide means for employing both methods of control in combination on a single heating system.

Other purposes and advantages of this invention will be pointed out in the detailed description below and illustrated in the drawing where- Fig. 1 is a front elevational view diagrammatically illustrating a one pipe steam system employing my invention.

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic illustration of" a regulator for controlling the rate of fiow of exhaust and return air.

Fig. 3 is a front elevational view in section, showing an improved air regulator valve.

For purposes of illustration I have shown a heating system provided with three radiators ll, l2, and it connected to a boiler it by means of the steam line I 5 and the risers I6, I! and I8 respectively. Each radiator is provided with an air valve i9, actuated by steam, which is of standard construction except for the fact that the air from the radiator is discharged into the exhaust air line 23 in place of into the atmosphere as is customary. Each valve I9 is connected through exhaust air line 23 to the exhauster 24. An air regulator 20 (Fig. 3) is provided for each radiator and located in the branch line connecting to the main exhaust line 23. In Fig. 1 said air regulators are indicated by numerals 20, 2| and 22 respectively.

The first phase of operation of the proposed system is complete when each radiator is provided with an orifice for controlling the rate of exhausting the air into the atmosphere. Connecting that orifice to an exhauster will hasten the process but is not essential to its basic operation. In order to have the steam from the boiler l4 enter radiator H prior to or at the same time it enters radiator l3, it is necessary to exhaust the air from radiator II and its steam line at a greater rate than from radiator I3. Therefore by providing a greater orifice for the most distant radiator whereby the larger volume of aircontained in that radiator and its steam line may be exhausted at a more rapid rate, the steam may reach that radiator earlier or at approximately the same time it enters the others. By judging the volume of air to be exhausted from the respective radiators, the size of the orifice may be calibrated to suit each condition or as pointed out below the sizes of the orifices may be made adjustable so that the proper ratio of air control may be readily accomplished.

The second phase of my inventionis for controlling the rate of return flow of the cool air into each radiator after the fire in the central heating plant has been retarded. By reversing the process set forth above, if the cool air which is drawn into the various radiators is so regulated that the rate of flow into the radiators nearest the boiler is greater than into a more distant one, then the more distant radiator will cool at a slower rate; Therefore, similar to the system pointed out in the first phase of my invention I' propose to use a calibrated" orifice for regulating the rate ofreturn flow of air into each individual radiator in order to provide a uniform rate into each individual radiator on the system or a longer heating period for any particular radiator. As a result either phase of my invention may be used independently to gain its respective advantage. However, when both phases are to be used in combination the most distant radiator must be provided with the largest orifice for exhausting the air, but at the same time must be provided with the smallest orifice for regulating the rate of flow of the return air. Therefore a single calibrated orifice cannot be used in the combination.

A simple method for employing a combination of both phases of the invention at the same time is illustrated in Fig. 2. When steam pressure is built up in the boiler the air is forced out of the radiators through 35, past check 3|, calibrated orifice 32 and into the atmosphere at 36. When the heating system cools, thereby producing a partial vacuum, atmospheric air enters at 36 and flows by check 33, through calibrated orifice 34 back into the system. By means of the dual orifices and their cooperating check valves the rate of fiow in either direction may be controlled by the size of the respective orifices 32 and 34.

Since the volume of air to be exhausted from each branch of the heating system could not be readily predetermined it is desirable to have the air exhausting orifices adjustable. By providing an adjustable orifice for each radiator the rate of air discharge may be regulated after the heating system is installed for ratioing the air control and obtaining the proper balance or equalization of steam distribution.

A special species of regulator for accomplishing the advantages of both phases of the invention working in combination is shown in Fig. 3 of the drawing. This regulator includes two check valves 25 and 26. The sizes of the orifices are adjusted by means of screws 21 and 28 which hold the checks 25 and 26 normally 01f their seats for providing any desired opening. One end 29 is connected to the radiator while the other end 30 is connected to the exhauster or communicates with the atmosphere. These checks work in opposite directions, check 25 controlling the opening for exhaust air but at the same time permitting free passage of the return air as the check swings upward. In the same manner check 26 controls the 'fiow of air but provides a free passage for the release of the exhaust air.

The complete operation of the proposed system is as follows. When the thermostat calls for heat it automatically opens the furnace drafts or starts the firing unit, and at the same time operates.

the exhauster 24. Air is drawn from each radiator through its respective air regulator and discharged at the exhauster. By adjusting the check 25 by means of screw 21 on regulator 20 (Fig. 3) until the opening is sufficiently larger than the remaining regulators on the system, steam would enter radiator II at the same time or prior to entering radiator l3. As the steam fills each radiator the valves l9 close to prevent escape of the steam. When the room containing the thermostat is heated to the desired temperature the firing unit is retarded and the exhauster stopped. When the heating system cools thereby producing a partial vacuum in all the radiators, air is drawn into each radiator through the exhaust line 23. By adjusting the check 26 by means of screw 28 on regulator 20 (Fig. 3) until the opening is smaller than the remaining regulators on the system, radiator II will cool down at a much slower rate than other radiators. Therefore, by adjusting the size of the orifices in the various regulators the correct ratio of air control may be obtained and all the rooms to be heated may be maintained at a uniform temperature.

One of the purposes of the proposed invention is to provide a system which is particularly adapted for employing an automatic exhauster for rapid distribution of steam. However, if the exhauster fails to function, or if no exhauster is used, the general operation is not interfered with and the special advantages of the ratioed air control system still prevail.

I claim:

1. A steam heating system comprising two or more radiators connected by steam lines to a boiler, an air valve closed by steam temperature connected to each radiator, and an air regulator connected to each radiator, each regulator including two check valves swung in opposite directions and normally held off their seats in their closed positions for forming orifices for controlling the rate of fiow of exhaust air from and return air into said radiator.

2. A one pipe steam heating system including two or more radiators connected to the system, an air valve connected to each radiator in the system including an air passage between the system and the atmosphere normally open except when closed by steam temperature and a regulator including two check valves swung in opposite directions and normally held off their seats in their closed position thereby providing orifice means for controlling the rate of flow of exhaust air from and return air into said radiator.

3. In a one pipe heating system, a boiler, a supply main connected to said boiler, a plurality of radiators, conduits connecting said radiators with said supply main, an air valve connected to each radiator providing an air passage between the radiator and the atmosphere, thermostatic means associated with said air valve and responsive to steam temperature to close said air passage, first orifice means associated with each of said air valves to regulate the rate of flow of exhaust air from its respective radiator, second orifice means associated with each of said air valves to regulate the rate of flow of return air into its respective radiator, said first orifice means being calibrated to provide an air exhaust rate which increases with the increase in distance of its respective radiator from the boiler, and said second orifice means being calibrated to provide an air inlet rate which decreases with the increase in distance of its respective radiator from the boiler.

4. In a one pipe heating system, a boiler, a supply main connected to said boiler, a plurality of radiators, conduits connecting said radiators with said supply main, an air valve connected to each radiator providing an air passage between the radiator and the atmosphere, thermostatic means associated with said air valve and responsive to steam temperature to close said air passage, first orifice means associated with each of said air valves to regulate the rate of flow of exhaust air from its respective radiator, second orifice means associated with each of said air valves to regulate the rate of fiow of return air into its respective radiator, said first orifice means being calibrated to provide an air exhaust rate in direct proportion to the volume the respective radiator and associated conduit bears to the volume of the entire system, and said second orifice means being calibrated to provide an air inlet rate in reverse proportion to the volume the respective radiator and associated conduit bears to the volume of the entire system.

5. In a one pipe heating system, a boiler, a supply main connected to said boiler, a plurality of radiators, conduits connecting said radiators with said supply main, an air valve connected to each radiator providing an air passage between the radiator and the atmosphere, thermostatic means associated with said air valve and responsive to steam temperature to close said air passage, first adjustable orifice means associated with each of said air valves to regulate the rate of flow of exhaust air from its respective radiator, second adjustable orifice means associated with each of said air valves to regulate the rate of flow of return air into its respective radiator, said first orifice means being adjusted to provide an air exhaust rate in proportion to the volume its associated radiator and conduit bears to the volume of the entire system, and said second orifice means being adjusted to provide an air inlet rate 10; in inverse proportion to the volume its associated radiator and conduit bear to the volume of the entire system.

HARRISON F. COX. 

